Printed in the Mendocino County Observer.
Sudden Oak Death Syndrome Spreads
For some time a disease called the "sudden oak death syndrome" has been devastating populations of black oaks, tanoaks, and coast live oaks from Monterey to Sonoma counties. This pathogen is related to that which caused
the Irish potato famine in the 1800s. It now appears that the sudden oak death pathogen here in California effects other hardwood species, including madrone and bay laurel.
The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that University of California researchers working in Marin and Sonoma counties have found the pathogen in branches and leaves of both bay laurel (also know as "bay", "California bay laurel" and "Oregon myrtle") and madrone trees. The scientists have not yet determined if the disease is as deadly to bay and madrone trees as it is to oaks. But the fact that these other hardwood species can become infected
means that the disease will be able to spread further and faster than if it only could be spread by oaks. The disease has also shown up in huckleberry bushes and, according to preliminary tests, may be found in manzanita as well.
Researchers have come up with a possible control measure, a chemical called phosphonate that is already used to fight fungus in avocado and walnut trees. Still, it is unlikely that this potential control measure will be helpful in wildland areas. Aerial application would be controversial and, according to experts, probably not very effective.
The tens of thousands of trees already killed by this disease are adding to an already high fuel load in California's wildland areas. The state is considering a $10 million proposal to fund removing dead wood.
